Shloka 176
Adhyāya 141 — Night duels: Śaineya and Bhūriśravas; Droṇi and Ghaṭotkaca; Bhīma and Duryodhana
क्षुरप्रेण धनुश्छित्त्वा ननाद परवीरहा । भरतनन्दन! तब शत्रुवीरोंका संहार करनेवाले महाबाहु भीमसेनने क्षुरप्रके द्वारा सूतपुत्रके धनुषको काटकर बड़े जोरसे गर्जना की
kṣurapreṇa dhanuś chittvā nanāda paravīrahā | bharatanandana! tataḥ śatruvīrāṇāṃ saṃhāra-karaṇe mahābāhur bhīmasenaḥ kṣurapreṇa sūtaputrasya dhanuṣo chittvā mahāśabdena nanāda |
Sañjaya said: Having cut the bow with a razor-headed arrow, the slayer of enemy heroes roared. O joy of the Bharatas, then the mighty-armed Bhīmasena—ever intent on the destruction of hostile champions—severed the charioteer’s son’s bow with a razor-shafted missile and let out a thunderous cry, proclaiming resolve and dominance amid the righteous yet terrible press of war.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya-dharma in its stark form: disciplined martial skill used decisively in battle, coupled with the warrior’s public assertion of resolve. Ethically, it reflects the Mahābhārata’s tension—duty-bound combat can be righteous in context, yet remains fearsome and destructive.
In Sañjaya’s report to Dhṛtarāṣṭra, Bhīma uses a kṣurapra arrow to sever the bow of the 'sūtaputra' (commonly Karṇa). After disabling the opponent’s weapon, Bhīma roars loudly, signaling dominance and intensifying the battlefield’s momentum.